Kenya Airways staff have agreed to start industrial action next Wednesday following a vote by the Kenya Aviation and Allied Workers Union (AAWU) yesterday to strike over a pay dispute.
The AAWU has warned the indefinite stoppage could cripple the aviation industry in east Africa's largest economy.
Some 5,000 aviation workers could strike, crippling the industry.
"The whole aviation industry, involving 5,000 employees, will go on strike from October 13 to demand the management of Kenya Airways honour the Return to Work Formula signed on August 25 last year," says Moss Ndiema, chairman of the AAWU. "We shall strike until our demands are met."
In September Kenya Airways rejected new pay demands from AAWU that would cost 325 million shillings more than previously agreed in a deal with the union in April. Under the agreement, the increase would be backdated to October 200 but the union now wants this backdated by 15 months. The airline has stated this demand was unrealistic and illegal.